Rocklin teacher arrested for supplying marijuana to children

An investigation by the Rocklin Police Department has led to the arrest of a Granite Oaks Middle School teacher on charges of supplying marijuana and alcohol to children, according to a report from the Rocklin PD.

Earlier this week, a parent notified a school resource officer that his high school-aged son had visited a middle school teacher at the teacher’s apartment and that his son was given marijuana and alcohol. The officer’s investigation led to the discovery of several other students who were identified as potential victims.

On March 1, detectives arrested Ian Runciman, 38, of Roseville, on charges of supplying marijuana to a juvenile. Runciman is listed as an eighth-grade math teacher on Granite Oaks’ website.

“His father found him at the apartment,” said Lt. Jamie Knox. “I don’t know what led him there but his father found his son at the teacher’s apartment.”

Knox said he believes the student was one of Runciman’s former students allegedly being supplied marijuana and alcohol by the teacher. At this point, Knox added, there are three or four students involved, but as the investigation continues “it appears there might be some other juveniles who became involved.”

“It appears what he has done is built some sort of relationship with his students and maintained the relationship as they go onto their high school years,” Knox explained. “These were the kids he was supplying marijuana and alcohol to.”

Runciman was booked into and released from the Placer County Jail March 2 after posting $25,000 bail.

“Ian has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending formal charges at his arraignment,” Rocklin Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Brown said in an email. “Once that happens, then we can place him on leave without pay.”

Brown said Runciman has been in the school district for 13 years, the last four as a math teacher at Granite Oaks.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is encouraged to call the Rocklin Police Department at (916) 625-5443.